The Philadelphia 76ers look for their third straight win overall and 11th in a row at home when they host the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday.
The Sixers defeated the New Orleans Pelicans, 120-111, on Monday behind 42 points and 11 rebounds from Joel Embiid, despite the center being questionable with a sore lower back. James Harden added 27 points and eight assists for the surging Sixers.
Tyrese Maxey also provided a spark with 12 points in just his second game back from a fractured left foot. He had been sidelined for nearly six weeks.
When Maxey is fully healthy, the Sixers are a much more dangerous team capable of making a deep postseason run.
There were flashes of greatness against the Pelicans, but the Sixers realize they must remain patient.
After a 113-93 setback to the Pelicans on Dec. 26, the Pacers responded by wining four straight over the Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Clippers and Toronto Raptors.
The Pacers ousted the Raptors, 122-114, on Monday.
Rookie Bennedict Mathurin led the way with 21 points while Buddy Hield added 19. Indiana’s bench dominated Toronto with a massive 54-7 edge.
Backup point guard T.J. McConnell, who began his career with the Sixers, scored 15 points off the bench to help key the second unit.
Jalen Smith also contributed 11 points and 11 rebounds, seven offensive, in 17 minutes off the bench. Smith had been a starter earlier in the season and has since made the adjustment Carlisle was looking for.
